Swim Harness

[Flying Pig]

http://www.jumpusa.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=J&Product_Code=AVPSS01&cvsfa=1182&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=41565053533031

Anyone have any experience with one of these? I have a pool at home but cant use it for fitness. Its just a regular built in back yard pool. But I can use it for fitness if it works.

[Jimbo]

Yes, but...

We used these in competitive swimming to identify inefficiencies in our stroke. Rather than hooking it up and swimming away from where it was attached, we hooked it up and dragged it to the opposite end of a 25m pool, hooked ourselves in, released and swam while it drug us through the water. For the first few meters, it makes apparent where your stroke is inefficient.

[Flying Pig]

OK, cool. So you can get a pretty good work out with one, considering its better than nothing?

[Jong]

It isn't perfect but I use a regular belt and 550 cord tied off to a ladder at the pool.

[JDAM]

I seriously doubt that would work for side stroke.

I guess it just depends on what type of swimming you plan on doing. Looks like you could definitely get a workout.

$90 is steep, but it might be worth it. Never used that before. I'm with Jong though, you could rig something up just like that for $10-$20 at home and save some money.

[BRC]

I got something similar at a Sport Chalet in CA for about 25.00. It attaches to your ankles the same way a surfboard leash does. It can mess with your kicks if the straps move around but overall works fairly well.

BRC

[rumracer1]

Shoot, I made one out of a neoprene type weight belt and a Resistance band, hooked it to pool ladder and was good to go. The belt was positive buoyant so it actually kept my hips from dropping. I really didnt do it for proper stroke but just swim endurance when i cant get to ocean.

[Flying Pig]

http://www.jumpusa.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=J&Product_Code=AVPSS01&cvsfa=1182&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=41565053533031

To follow up. I bought this a few months ago and have been using it in my home pool. Its pretty awesome! You can do freestyle and breast stroke and butterfly. You can do backstroke, but I havnt done it yet. No side strokes. Its actually pretty right on to regular swimming. It takes about 5-10 minutes of getting used to. My issue was turning my head to breath. Because your not moving through the water, the water doesnt separate past your head and create the pocket between your mouth and shoulder like you might be used to if you swim laps. Just turn your head more and its a non issue.
There is the psychological aspect of starring at the same spot at the bottom of the pool. But man, let me tell you, the moment you start to let up you can feel the bands pulling you backwards in the water. But if you want to just take it easy, youll stay stationairy. But if you want to push it, the bands let you know when your slacking off. I consistently swam 2500-3000 yards 2-3 times per week in a 25 yard lap pool before I got it. I know pretty well how long it takes me to swim a set distance, so now I just go off time vs actual distances or laps.

Honoeslty, $90 is pretty expensive for what you get. You could easily make one out of an old work out belt and some surgical tubing. The nice thing is that the waist belt inflates just slightly to keep your hips up since you done have the movement through the water to assist. You definitely need surgical type tubing. You wouldnt want rope if you made your own. But all in all, its pretty sweet. So thats my review.

[PocketKings]

I agree on the surgical tubing/work out belt thing. I modified mine to hook on both sides of my pool to avoid the annoying feel of it on my legs. I have to use a noodle under my legs to keep my hips up, but I get the effect of the upper body stroke workout, which is what I'm needing.

Good, cheap way to workout if you don't have an Olympic sized pool available. It is pretty boring, so a waterproof iPod is a necessity or you can drown out of boredom.

[Flying Pig]

Yup..got the iPod. I agree 100% otherwise 10 minutes feels like an hour and a half.